Foot-covering



(No Model.)

J. H. MEETEER.

FOOT COVERING.

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JAMES H. MEETEER, OF BROOKLYN, NEIV YORK.

FOOT COVERING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 599,341, dated February 22, 1898.

Application filed February 11, 1897. Serial no. 622,956. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. MEETEER,'a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn,in the county of Kings,State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foot-Coverings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful devicesfor detachable application to the shoe of a person for the purpose of protecting the foot during cold weather and prevent the same from frosting. It is especially adapted for the use of gripmen, motor-men, and others who are exposed to the cold; and it has for its objects, among others, to provide a simple and cheap protector that can be readily applied to the shoe or boot and there held without the employment of straps and buckles or other extraneous means.

A further object is to so construct the protector that it shall not in any way cramp the foot of the wearer, but shall be comfortable and adapt itself to the movements of the foot.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation, with a portion broken away, showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the framework of the protector.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in both views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the longitudinal portion of the support or framework of the protector. It is preferably of spring-steel and is curved to conform to the shape of the foot upon the upper face thereof, as shown, extending a greater or less distance upon the instep. Its lower or outer end is designed to engage in the groove at the toe between the upper face of the sole and the upper.

B are trausversely-arranged strips, preferably of spring-steel, each being curved or shaped to conform to the shape of the portion hold the protector in place upon the shoe or boot by the resiliency of the framework alone, thus avoiding the necessity of the employment of straps or other devices for this purpose. The ends of the rearmost strip B may, if desired, extend beneath the bottom of the shoe, as seen in Fig. 1, instead of engaging in the channel thereof.

The transverse strips B are joined at their ends in any suitable manner, as by the wire E, which is passed through the ends of the said strips, as seen best in Fig. 2, its ends being held to the ends of the rearmost strip in any suitable wayl This wire holds the ends of the strips inward, yet allows the said strips to spring outward in placing the protector on the foot or in removing the same therefrom. This frame is covered upon the outer face with leather or some suitable material F,while upon the inner or under face is the covering or lining G of felt, wool, or some other soft material, that will serve to keep the foot warm and yet render the protector easy and comfortable to the wearer. This inner and outer covering may be secured upon the framework in any of the well-known ways of attaching cloth to a metallic frame or support.

The manner of use will be apparent. In Fig. 1 I have shown the protector as applied to a shoe. In this instance it is held in place by the ends of the front and middle transverse curved strips being engaged in the chan ne] of the shoe, as is the front end of the longitudinal strip, While the ends of the rear strip are engaged beneath the sole just in front of the heel. In this position the protector covers the portion of the foot most susceptible to cold, and it can be quickly put on or taken off when desired. The spring-frame allows it to yield under the movements of the foot, so as not to occasion the wearer any uneasiness.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What is claimed as new is- 1. A foot-covering consisting of a frame of spring-strips shaped to conform to the boot or shoe to which it is to be applied with the ends of the strips constructed and arranged to engage the shoe to hold the covering in place, and a lining and covering to said frame, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with the longitudinal strip and the transverse curved strips secured thereto, of the cloth lining to the frame composed of said strips, and the covering over the same, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination with the central curved spring-strip, of the transverse curved springstrips secured thereto, the means joining the ends of the said strips and the lining and covering all substantially as shown and described.

4. An improved foot-covering consisting of a spring-strip curved to conform to and extend along the upper part of a boot with its outer end constructed and arranged to engage in the channel of the boot, the transverse curved strips secured to said strip with their ends arranged to engage in the channel of the boot, the Wire joining the ends of the strips, the lining upon the under side of the strips and the covering upon the outside thereof, all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES H. MEETEER.

Witnesses:

EDMOND S. BOURGEOIS, SAMUEL B. J OHNSON. 

